PlainBillCongress, translated.Legislation. Context. Public interest.Congressional Research Service
Version 00 · Introduced in Senate · Mar 11, 2003
Biodefense Improvement and Treatment for America Act - Smallpox Emergency Personnel Protection Act of 2003 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to entitle eligible individuals to payment by the Secretary of Health and Human Services for medical items and services to treat covered injuries caused by covered countermeasures against smallpox. Subjects cases of death and total disability to a separate payment structure.Project Bioshield Act of 2003 - Permits the Secretary to conduct and support research and development with respect to biomedical countermeasures.Directs the Secretary, on an ongoing basis, to assess threats of use of chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear agents and procure biomedical countermeasures to such threats.Allows the Secretary to declare a national emergency under specified conditions and authorize the release of a drug or device intended solely for use in an emergency.Improved Vaccine Affordability and Availability Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary to: (1) develop and disseminate information concerning certain diseases and their vaccines, including bacterial meningitis and hepatitis A and B; and (2) maintain a six months supply of prioritized vaccines.Revises provisions governing the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, including provisions regarding: (1) equitable relief; (2) derivative petitions; and (3) an extension of the statute of limitations.Amends Internal Revenue Code provisions concerning the Vaccine Injury Compensation Trust Fund, including to expand compensated loss for injury or death to include related loss.Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary to contract with the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science to conduct an ongoing, comprehensive review of new scientific data on childhood vaccines.
People & committees
Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH] · R–NH
Legislative record
A procedural vote is different from passage. Passage in one chamber does not establish enactment. Explore the glossary.
Became Public Law No: 108-276.
Became Public Law No: 108-276.
Signed by President.
Signed by President.
Presented to President.
Presented to President.
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 2 (Roll no. 376). (text: CR H5721-5729)
House roll call 376 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 414 - 2 (Roll no. 376).(text: CR H5721-5729)
House roll call 376 · Individual votesThe previous question was ordered pursuant to a previous order of the House. (consideration: CR H5740)
DEBATE - Pursuant to a previous order, the House proceeded with ninety minutes of debate on S. 15.
Considered by a previous order of the House. (consideration: CR H5721-5741)
Consideration initiated by previous order of the House.
Held at the desk.
Message on Senate action sent to the House.
Received in the House.
Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 0. Record Vote Number: 99.
Senate roll call 99 · Individual votesPassed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment and an amendment to the Title by Yea-Nay Vote. 99 - 0. Record Vote Number: 99.
Senate roll call 99 · Individual votesThe committee substitute as amended agreed to by Unanimous Consent.
Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S5744-5767; text of measure as reported in Senate: CR S5744-5760)
Star Print ordered on the reported bill.
Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 53.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Gregg with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Reported by Senator Gregg with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Introduced in Senate
Primary sources
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Source last updated: Apr 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
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Analyze S.15 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
Examine S.15 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
Examine S.15 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
Examine S.15 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.